2021
A Film by John Butler
CONTENT WARNING
language, mature subject matter
Explore how Indwell is creating safe, supportive housing that transforms lives. “Safe” shares the inspiring stories of individuals who have found stability, community, and hope through affordable housing and compassionate care. Watch the documentary to see how safety and belonging go hand in hand at Indwell.
Who is Indwell?
- A Christian charity that creates affordable housing communities that support people seeking health, wellness, and belonging.
- Over 1,250 people live in 29 Indwell communities in seven regions across Southern and Southwestern Ontario.
- Indwell encourages tenant success through housing affordability combined with health, social and housing supports.
Our Story
For 50 years, Indwell has been providing supportive housing that transforms lives. Every door we open together becomes a solution to homelessness.
Who lives at Indwell?*
Indwell serves adults and some families, totalling over 1,250 people. Many of our tenants have experienced homelessness or have had difficulty securing or keeping housing for various reasons: mental health, physical health concerns, addictions, and affordability. Everyone has a need for affordable housing and support.
A Solution to Homelessness
Recently, Western University partnered with Indwell to undertake award-winning research on the power of supportive housing to change lives. The two-year study concluded with a number of practical recommendations for both policy changes and local service delivery.
* How we decide who lives at Indwell
- Indwell offers a spectrum of supportive housing options in each region.
These varying levels of support ensure individuals’ needs can best be met. - Tenants are selected after an application and an in-person intake process that determines
1) their need for deep affordability, and
2) their desire to live in a supportive community and use the health care and other supports that will be available to them. - Most people living with Indwell have experienced homelessness or difficulty securing or keeping housing for various reasons: mental health,
physical health, substance use disorder, and/or affordability. - Referrals to Indwell come from various municipal waiting lists, hospitals, Indigenous organizations, and other housing providers.
How Indwell facilitates tenant success
Housing Stability
Attentive Staff
Evaluation
How We support our tenants
Indwell provides supportive housing with access to interdisciplinary services, fostering housing stability, health, and wellbeing for diverse tenant needs.
Independent Housing
Indwell tenants rent independent full-service apartments through formal agreements.
Wraparound Supports
Housing is just the start; tenants have access to a range of interdisciplinary services to support their housing and health success. This includes housing and tenancy-related supports, nursing and psychosocial professionals that advise people with mental health and substance use disorders, facilitation of connections to external service agencies, and encouragement of informal community supports
Harm Reduction
While substance use disorder isn’t a reality for many people who live at Indwell, it’s a daily struggle for some. Indwell’s addiction support workers come alongside them in making healthier choices and reducing harm.
Enhanced Supports
Some Indwell programs offer medication supports, meal programs, and case management to support a person on a recovery journey. These enhanced services can make a significant difference for individuals’ health and housing stability.
Tenant-centred
Housing is just the start; tenants have access to a range of interdisciplinary services to support their housing and health success. This includes housing and tenancy-related supports, nursing and psychosocial professionals that advise people with mental health and substance use disorders, facilitation of connections to external service agencies, and encouragement of informal community supports
Constant Evaluation
Indwell has a quality assurance committee which reports directly to the Board consisting of and led by people living in Indwell’s programs. Tenant input is encouraged through monthly town hall meetings, focus groups, surveys, and during regularly scheduled apartment checks.
How Indwell addresses tenant and building safety
It’s important that tenants feel safe and secure in their homes.
This is facilitated through:
- Regular staff office hours, 24/7 on-call support, crisis response.
- Controlled access through secure entrances. This supports building security and promotes positive guest management.
- Closed-circuit video surveillance and recording in all common areas.
- Building design, size and layout that fosters “knowable” communities; community activities and events that encourage tenants to know and look out for each other.
- Staff teams trained in crisis de-escalation and traumainformed approaches.
- Additional overnight security support when required.
Indwell takes an eviction-prevention approach to conflict. If a tenant or their guest is continually disruptive, staff meet with the tenant to understand the underlying cause and work together to resolve concerns. While eviction is a last resort, Indwell offers to help the tenant find alternate living arrangements.
Tenants are responsible for the behaviour of their guests, and disruptive guests can threaten their tenancy. To prevent this escalation, Indwell supports tenants in managing their guests and enacts trespass notices when necessary. If willing, Indwell collaborates with community partners to provide alternative supportive resources.
